Debbe's Chocolate Bars

A family friend, Debbe, always made these for me when I visited home from college, and I've made them to great acclaim for my friends. Be forewarned - this is a large recipe of very rich treats, but they are completely delicious!

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

4 cups miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional: I never use them)

Topping

1-1/3 cups (8 ounces) chocolate chips

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups rice krispies

Directions

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa in a separate bowl and add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over cake, return to oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over the cake. Cool.

For topping, combine chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until melted and well blended. Remove from heat and add rice krispies, mix and spread over bars. Chill thoroughly before cutting into bars. Keep refrigerated.

Makes 3 dozen.